UMES NAMES DON METIL HEAD WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL COACHFormer Coppin State head man takes over one of the MEAC's top programs.

Feb. 21, 2007

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. -
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (UMES) Acting Director of Athletics Keith Davidson announced today that Don Metil has been hired as the new head women's volleyball coach, replacing Alex Temkin who resigned in January for personal reasons.

"As the Athletic Director I realized when we embarked upon this search for a volleyball coach we were looking for the best coach available. However, it became more apparent to me that we needed to find the best fit for our University and athletic department. It was obvious in the process that in Don Metil we found both," said Davidson.

Metil takes over his fourth program as head coach having last served as head coach at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rival Coppin State University (CSU). In the past two seasons Metil tallied a 15-46 overall mark at CSU with a 9-11 record in conference play. He is second all time in wins with the Eagles' program and has the most conference wins of any coach in Coppin State history. Last season his Eagles posted an 8-21 record and went 4-6 in MEAC play. Those eight wins are the most in program history in a single season.

Metil owns virtually every Coppin State volleyball record during his brief stint there. Of the 24 single match team records tracked by the Eagles, Metil's teams own half. His squads also hold CSU records for longest home win streak, most home wins, most kills, best hitting percentage, most assists and most digs. In a program traditionally near the bottom of the MEAC, Metil made significant strides, finishing eighth last season and seventh in 2005. That season he was .500 in conference play and posted a 3-2 win over the Hawks, his first win as a DI coach.

Metil also coached Indira Laurencin who was an All-MEAC player last season. Two other players from CSU also earned MEAC player and rookie of the week honors.

Head Coach Don Metil

"The winning tradition that UMES represents has always been something I want to be a part of. Ever since previous coach Toby Rens tried to recruit one of my players at the club level I have followed the program and been very interested in the Hawks. I have a three step process for being successful here at UMES. Those three steps include program development, academic commitment and public relations. This program will carry on the tradition and integrity that has been created here while continuing to advance the program's excellence," Metil said.

Before his stint at Coppin State, Metil was at nationally-ranked Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C. There he was head women's volleyball coach and an assistant with the men's team. The DII power finished 30-9 and 16-2 in the Carolinas Virginia Athletic Conference, winning their eighth consecutive league championship. The Bobcats maintained a fifth-place ranking in the Atlantic region and finished the season number 24 in the nation. Their season ended in the semi-finals of the Women's NCAA Tournament.

No stranger to Maryland collegiate volleyball, Metil was the head coach of the The Gators at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland for two seasons prior to his stint with the Bobcats. There he tallied a 40-30 overall record, including a 20-2 mark in the Atlantic Women's College Conference. They were also 2002 AWCC Champions and runners-up in 2003.

Metil coached an elite group of collegiate women in 2005 in Aruba. The international event included two teams from the United State and several from Aruba, Venezuela, Brazil, and Puerto Rico. Metil's team was undefeated and took the gold medal, defeating the other U.S. team in four games.

Prior to his collegiate coaching career Metil taught sixth grade science at Dumbarton Middle School for seven years. Suring that period he coached at several high schools and for junior Olympic Clubs in the Maryland metro area. He is a 1996 graduate of California University of Pennsylvania and holds a degree in secondary education and sports medicine. He is a certified athletic trainer and holds a Master's degree from Loyola College (Md.) in secondary education with an emphasis on science. Metil played collegiate volleyball, primarily as a setter.

He and his wife Monica currently live in Baltimore, Md. with plans to move to the Eastern Shore. They have one son, Hayden, who turned one this month.

"I believe in playing for a purpose," Metil said. Our purpose is to win the MEAC Championship and more. It will include classroom success and being active and visible members of the community."

Metil replaces Temkin who resigned earlier this year to return home to Massachusetts to be closer to his family and pursue a Master's Degree. Last season UMES finished third in the MEAC and posted a 19-15 campaign, going 7-3 in conference.